Seattle Press on Line - New Civility Law for Dogs

New Civility Law for Dogs

Sep 19, 2000 -- The City Council passed a massive revision of its Animal Control Law on June 26 in the form of Ordinance 119998. The ordinance was signed by Mayor Paul Schell on July 3 and took effect on August 3.

This animal control legislation was developed without a public hearing, a decision made by Seattle City Council President Jan Drago. Under the legislation, Animal Control is granted broad discretion and anyone can lodge a complaint against you or your dog.

The ordinance adds two new categories of "dangerous animal" and "potentially dangerous animal." "Dangerous animal" refers to any animal that has inflicted injury to a person or another animal. A "potentially dangerous animal" is one that, when provoked, bites or chases a person. A dog that chases but does not bite a mail carrier can be classified "potentially dangerous." If the dog is involved in a second incident such as a minor bite, he can be labeled "dangerous," the owner taken to court and the dog ultimately destroyed. In other jurisdictions in the state, a dangerous dog can be registered and maintained in accordance with state law. This is not an option in Seattle. Under the new ordinance, the director of Seattle Animal Control is authorized to be judge, jury and executioner of an animal he believes to be dangerous.

Cat trapping is also allowed by private citizens without notice to the neighborhoods and without having to identify damage done by cats or the cat(s) actually involved.

The full text of Ordinance 119998 can be found on the City's website at www.cityofseattle.net or by calling the City Council for a hard copy at 684-8888.

Reader Comments

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Bill Kennedy	Sep 20, 2000	Greenlake/Greenwood	programmer/dog lover
Thanks for publishing this article. It is really important that all dog and cat lovers in the city learn about this ordinance that was secretly passed by the Seattle City Council.


Pat Moore	Sep 23, 2000	Seattle, WA	Consultant
This is scary! You can PROVOKE a dog, and if it defends itself, it is considered a dangerous animal? And anyone can trap your cat with NO proof of its being guilty of damaging property, etc.? This totally gives carte blanche to any psychotic with a grudge against cats, now doesn't it? And all these changes in the law were made without a public hearing -- that's scary too! I'll remember Mr. Schell and Ms. Drago come the next time they are up for public office!


Susana Valentine	Apr 20, 2004	Los Angeles, CA	School Assistant
I was appalled at the dangerous dog and cat laws especially without public hearing. What can be done. I own a home in Port Orchard, Washington but live in LA now temporarily. I saw this on the news.


DENISE	May 08, 2004	TACOMA WA	house wife
I need to know if someone has a dog on their own property or a place that they lease is their dog suppose to be in a cage or fence?